[There is a massive amount written about the Exodus within the context of Ancient Egypt, known to us historically from archaeology and from thousands of texts discovered over the past two centuries. Many lectures, some better than others, may be found here: http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-....] On Angel, in the Exodus 6-11 folder, is posted a short, accessible book with relevant essays, as well.]

Now that you’ve read a lot….

7. Write a short essay in which you articulate how you see the structure and meaning of the makkot in the context of the story of יציאת מצרים. Specific questions that may be part of your thinking include:

a. How are the makkot structured in Shemot? How else could they be structured? (Here the two מזמורים in Tehillim that also contain “narratives” of the makkot may be useful for comparison.)

b. What is the purpose of the makkot? What interpretive possibilities are there? Which are followed by some of the commentators? Are there clues or indications in the biblical text itself which you think support one possibility or another?

c. How does the knowledge that modern readers have of ancient Egypt help, or hinder, us as readers of the Torah in this case?

When you are done, please upload your work to the dropbox in the Angel folder for the assignment, or send me a link to your work if it is online. The work is due at the end of the first week back, Friday, October 24. (Late work will not be accepted.)